[Albion] Bart Verbruggen SINGS a 5-year deal

[Flounce]

I'm not sure that is fair. Steele's starting position is very high generally, and he's actually pretty good at sensing danger and getting out. In fact he did so very well in the Manchester United game - getting there first and heading it out to the wing.

Bart is the better shot stopper but I wouldn’t have bet against Steele spotting what was going on when Dunky got beaten by Saka and being out quicker

 

[Gabbiano]

Bart is the better shot stopper but I wouldn’t have bet against Steele spotting what was going on when Dunky got beaten by Saka and being out quicker

Perhaps this is particularly harsh on Steele, but it sticks in my memory. I remember when Dunk got done by Lukaku against Roma, Steele was absolutely caught in two minds as to what to do and just sort of dithered in no mans land, making Lukaku's task easy. A lot of similarities to the Havertz situation.

I don't think Steele's anticipation is any better than Verbruggen's.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Perhaps this is particularly harsh on Steele, but it sticks in my memory. I remember when Dunk got done by Lukaku against Roma, Steele was absolutely caught in two minds as to what to do and just sort of dithered in no mans land, making Lukaku's task easy. A lot of similarities to the Havertz situation.

I don't think Steele's anticipation is any better than Verbruggen's.

In general I think it probably is (which is no surprise, considering he’s 12 more years of experience!) but I agree that in that specific instance in Roma, he was slow out.

 

[pigmanovich]

 

[raymondo]

2026...big money incoming...

 

[Washie]

Just noticed it says Courtois' contract expires 2026

 

[jcdenton08]

£70m will do.

 

[Charles 'Charley' Charles]

Clubs like Chelsea is one thing, but when clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona start taking notice that's a whole other level. I would also take that as he isn't going to agitate for an intermediate move if Real Madrid are in the horizon.

 

[Dibdab]

Happy days. £50m+ end of season and hopefully Rushworth ready to step straight in. Rinse and repeat with Beadle who could be the best of all 3.

 

[sparkie]

Just noticed it says Courtois' contract expires 2026

Yes, Verbruggen is contracted until 2028 ( + maybe an unpublished further year option )

 

[elwheelio]

He's an incredible prospect. He doesn't have any obvious weaknesses and is still so young. He's good in the air, a great shot stopper and comfortable on the ball. If he keeps progressing, there's no reason why he couldn't end up at Madrid.

 

[Bakero]

£70m will do.

I actually think that'd be too cheap.

 

[jcdenton08]

I actually think that'd be too cheap.

Possibly, but I can see them offering £30m and getting a “lol no” from Barber and Bloom. I think £70m would be the top end personally - not every club are as insane as Chelsea

 

[Han Solo]

Possibly, but I can see them offering £30m and getting a “lol no” from Barber and Bloom. I think £70m would be the top end personally - not every club are as insane as Chelsea

Yeah Real/Barca are a little different... they have a discount. Everyone wants to play in one of those teams at some point, you can't turn them down easily.

 

[WhingForPresident]

Source is shite but I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. Would have to be an all-time record fee for a keeper, surely. £100m+?

Funny really, considering he's only played like 20 games for us.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Don't forget that Kompany was his manager in Belgium and tried to buy him at Burnley. It wouldn't be a surprise if Bayern came in for him next season too.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Yeah Real/Barca are a little different... they have a discount. Everyone wants to play in one of those teams at some point, you can't turn them down easily.

Real seem to have a strategy now of targeting big stars, and making agreements with them when they have a year or so left under contract - that they run down that deal at their club / refuse any renewal offers - then sign for RM for a big singing-on fee as a free agent. As they did with Mbappe, and as they are rumoured to have agreed with Alexander-Arnold.

 

[Flounce]

Real seem to have a strategy now of targeting big stars, and making agreements with them when they have a year or so left under contract - that they run down that deal at their club / refuse any renewal offers - then sign for RM for a big singing-on fee as a free agent. As they did with Mbappe, and as they are rumoured to have agreed with Alexander-Arnold.

They’ll have a long wait for Bart if they are going to try and implement that scenario

 

[AstroSloth]

Yeah Real/Barca are a little different... they have a discount. Everyone wants to play in one of those teams at some point, you can't turn them down easily.

Just chuck in a clause of £10m every time they win the CL and watch the cash flow in.

 

[Mustafa II]

Bart's thread doesn't get bounces too often, but it deserves one today.

A couple of cracking saves to keep us in it - aerially dominant in his area. Surely wouldn't have come away with three points without him today.

Super Bart Verbruggen!